Governance

Good group processes, compassionate communication, consent decision-making and conflict management are fundamental to good governance and members of our community commit to actively developing and deepening their skills in these areas through training and practice. We aspire to TEVA’s “Values and Code of Conduct” because we believe effective, peaceful governance starts with self and the relationships we have with one another.

Decision-making

We have chosen Sociocracy as a framework for our governance and decision-making processes. It is based on the principles of transparency, inclusiveness and accountability and sees us working to make decisions that, whilst they may not be everyone's first choice, everyone can "live with" the final agreement. We have a clear process of turning to a voting process (with 75% majority) should our decision making processes fail or a more rapid decision is needed.

Structure

The owners of residential lots, pods, apartments and the motel form the owner’s corporation, or body corporate, which is the official governing body for the Community Development Scheme (CDS). All owners have voting rights according to their unit entitlements under this scheme. Management of the owner’s corporation will be through a management committee, elected by the owners.

In order to promote the co-operative culture of our community, purchasers and long term residents will need to first be a member of the Tasman Ecovillage Association (TEVA) which requires a membership application and approval process. Only full members of TEVA are eligible for election to the management committee of the owner’s corporation.